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Seminoles Rally Late, Avoid Upset

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: December 19, 2007

Updated: 12/18/2007 11:57 pm

TALLAHASSEE - Uche Echefu scored 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds as Florida State came from behind for a 66-61 win against College of Charleston on Tuesday.
College of Charleston had the ball and a one-point lead with 51 seconds left in the game, but FSU point guard Toney Douglas stole an inbound pass and his ensuing layup gave the Seminoles a 62-61 advantage.

Echefu came up with a loose ball as the Cougars tried to bring the ball back into play, and was fouled. He made both free throws to give the Seminoles a 64-61 lead with 46 seconds to play.

Florida State forward Jason Rich deflected Tony White Jr.'s shot attempt, and Ralph Mims sealed the win with two free throws.

Echefu was 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. Mims added 15 points, and Rich and Douglas both finished with 13 for the Seminoles (10-3).
College of Charleston (4-5) led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but the Seminoles slowly chipped away at the lead. White finished with a team-high 17 points and Marcus Hammond added 12.

After the game, FSU coach Leonard Hamilton announced that freshman point guard Chris Blake is transferring to Okaloosa-Walton Community College in January. Blake had yet to play at FSU, missing the Noles' first 13 games while serving a suspension for violation of team rules.

Meanwhile, junior forward Casaan Breeden, who played in FSU's first 10 games, missed his third consecutive game and has withdrawn from school, according to school officials. Breeden, who averaged 4.7 points and 2.4 rebounds, is expected to transfer in the spring.

USF Women Down Oregon At Caribbean Challenge

CANCUN, Mexico - The University of South Florida extended its winning streak to six games with a 68-58 win against Oregon at the Caribbean Challenge.

Shantia Grace led three players in double figures, scoring a game-high 26 points in the win. Jessica Lawson and Gianna Messina added 12 and 11 points, respectively for the Bulls.

USF (8-2) took a 9-2 lead when ChiChi Okpaleke hit a jumper with 15:46 left in the first half. Oregon (5-5) cut the lead to 18-15 on a field goal by Victoria Kenyon 8:42 left in the half.

Grace capped an 18-6 run with a 3-pointer - and her 10th point of the half - with 1:49 left in the half to give the Bulls a 31-21 lead.

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